Lib Dem proposals brings a ray of light to Tory budget

Posted by Joe Harris | Updated 2016-02-10

The Liberal Democrats on Gloucestershire County Council have today announced a full list of budget proposals amounting to over £2million for 2016/2017.

The 2016/2017 budget will be set at next Wednesday’s council meeting in the Council Chamber at Shire Hall and the Liberal Democrats will present a comprehensive package of recommendations covering three key areas that include roads, health and the environment.

“The Conservative administration has proposed a council tax increase of 3.99% to deliver a budget of £417.98m. With the state of the council’s finances and the reduction in core funding of £18m provided by the government, Liberal Democrats have decided not to oppose a council tax rise, as to do otherwise could severely damage frontline services to vulnerable people.

“However, since the financial settlement was announced on 17th December 2015 there has been a net increase in funding of £1.63m due to improvements in the council tax base and a surplus from the collection fund. Rather than use this money for slippage we shall use it to support improvements in council services in relation to roads, health and the environment.

“Our biggest investment will be on roads in doubling funding for the Highways Local scheme, plus extra money to improve the implementation of Traffic Regulation Orders (TROs). There are outstanding Traffic Regulation Orders (TROs) in Gloucestershire and more officer support is needed to clear the backlog.

“Health and safety is a concern and therefore we want to continue investing to improve mental health. We believe it is important to keep running the Liberal Democrat scheme started two years ago to give all Year 5 pupils a visit to Gloucester’s SkillZone to learn about home and road safety. We are aware of the changing nature of the county’s fire and rescue service and believe it is important to invest in embedding a member of the Gloucestershire Fire and Rescue Staff within the county’s Adult and Social Care Services to improve the health and wellbeing of vulnerable people through the fire service’s ‘safe and well checks’.

“The environment is important and information collated from Air Quality Progress reports has revealed high levels of nitrogen dioxide (NO2), which are exceeding national air quality objectives. We want to undertake a study looking at these sites across the county to see what can be achieved to reduce such pollution levels. We also believe it is important to invest in undertaking pollution level monitoring outside the county’s schools.

“It is interesting to note that one of the top five comments on the council’s 2016 budget is to ‘cancel the incinerator’. We need to know whether there are any discrepancies or anomalies regarding the procurement process and the subsequent contract. This Council has already spent many millions on the Javelin Park incinerator project including a recent cash injection of £17m. Liberal Democrats propose to carry out an independent review ofthe procurement process and the contract that was awarded for the Javelin Park Incinerator. We have budgeted £30K for this purpose.

“We hope that the Liberal Democrat package of proposals offer a glimmer of light to a dark and dismal Tory budget in 2016/2017.”

“The county’s roads have hugely deteriorated and with such foul weather potholes are popping up everywhere. It is complete madness that the highways budget is being cut. I’m pleased that the Liberal Democrats will be investing in our roads and double the amount of money that each elected member receives for additional road maintenance in their own division from the current £22.5Kto£45K.

“This will make a real difference to the road network across the county. I am also delighted that we’ll be continuing with our investment in cycling by proposing £500K over the next two financial years to realise at least 4 of the 6 cycling schemes that have been proposed in the ‘Barriers to Cycling’ report, which was undertaken during 2014/2015 and also proposed by the Liberal Democrats.

“All political parties now acknowledge the importance of mental health, but it is the Liberal Democrats who remain committed in making real improvements to the mental health and wellbeing of the people of Gloucestershire. Sadly, detailed analysis of the proposed Conservative budget has revealed they do not share this commitment to improvement. In 2014/2015, the Liberal Democrat Group successfully secured funding to enable Gloucestershire's school nurses to be trained to provide improved mental health resilience to children and young people. An additional £50K investmentin 2016/2017will help fund a further scheme to provide improved mental health support to children and young people. I’m delighted that we’re continuing this investment in promoting the mental health and wellbeing of young people.”

The full Liberal Democrat list of budget proposals for 2016/2017 are as follows:

Roads

To invest a further £1.1925 million during 2016/17, in the ‘Highways Local’ scheme, increasing the fund per county division from the current £22.5K to £45K. The use of this fund for highway improvements to be promoted and agreed with the local county councillor beforehand.

A £100K investment to improve the implementation process of Traffic Regulation Orders (TROs), which impose traffic restrictions for safety reasons, by employing a designated Traffic Regulation Order (TRO) Officer and providing additional funds for preparation of new (TROs).

To provide free residents parking permits to all Vehicle Excise Duty (VED) band A vehicles, which includes electric vehicles for the first permit only to be applied for 2016/2017 and 2017/2018 with a review after two years cost £5K per annum.

Health

A £50K investmentto provide improved mental health support to children and young people.

A £45K investment to embed a member of Gloucestershire Fire and Rescue Staff within GCC Adult and Social Care Services, to assist GFRS in helping to improve the health and wellbeing of vulnerable people through the fire service’s “self and well checks.

To continue permanently with the Lib Dem initiative to fund free Year 5 pupil visits to Gloucester’s SkillZone costing £50K per year.

A £20K to the Child Sexual Exploitation (CSE) Team to look at gaps in E-safety and to continue the “In the Net” internet safety awareness work.

Environment

An investment of £500K over two years to realise at least 4 of the 6 cycling schemes proposed in the ‘Barriers to Cycling’ report, within the next two years.

A £30K investment to carry-out an independent study to look at the 30+ Air Quality Management Areas and examine solutions to reducing levels of pollution at these particular sites. The study to be overseen by the Gloucestershire Pollution Group (GPG) involving all six districts plus a representative from the County Council. With recommendations to be reported back to the GPG, the County’s Environment & Community Scrutiny Committee and the County’s Health & Care Scrutiny Committee, within 12 months.

A £20K investment to undertake a detailed analysis of the pollution levels outside Gloucestershire’s primary and secondary schools and for findings to be reported back to the County’s Environment & Community Scrutiny Committee, Children & Families Scrutiny Committee and the County’s Health & Care Scrutiny Committee to determine further action.

A £30K investment to carry-out an independent review ofthe procurement process and the contract that was awarded for the Javelin Park Incinerator,

A £40K investment for a new Joint-Waste Team Officer to promote recycling across Gloucestershire.

Total additional investment £2,082,500

Find out more about our work - sign up for emails today:

Optional email code

First Name

Last Name

Email

Postcode

Can we keep you updated?

Yes, I'd like to get emails from the local Liberal Democrats.

If you submit this form, the Liberal Democrats, locally and nationally, may use information in it, including your political views, to further our objectives, share it with our elected representatives and contact you in future using any of the means provided. Some contacts may be automated. You may opt out of some or all contacts or exercise your other legal rights by contacting us. Further details are in our Privacy Policy at www.libdems.org.uk/privacy

Share this post on social media:

Optional email code

Can we keep you updated?

Yes, I'd like to get emails from the local Liberal Democrats.

If you submit this form, the Liberal Democrats, locally and nationally, may use information in it, including your political views, to further our objectives, share it with our elected representatives and contact you in future using any of the means provided. Some contacts may be automated. You may opt out of some or all contacts or exercise your other legal rights by contacting us. Further details are in our Privacy Policy at www.libdems.org.uk/privacy

If you enter your details on this website, the Liberal Democrats, locally and nationally, may use information in it, including your political views, to further our objectives, share it with our elected representatives and/or contact you in future using any of the means provided. Some contacts may be automated. You may opt out of some or all contacts or exercise your other legal rights by contacting us. Further details are in our Privacy Policy at www.libdems.org.uk/privacy.

Published and promoted by and on behalf of the Liberal Democrats, 8-10 Great George Street, London, SW1P 3AE. Tel: (020) 7222 7999.

The Liberal Democrats and their elected representatives may use the information you have provided to contact you. Some contacts may be automated. You can opt out of communications at any time by contacting us.